The role of civil society and the private sector in the implementation of the NEPAD programme: assessment and way forward concept note

Abstract

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) was launched by the African Heads of States in 2001 with a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. Much of this optimism was based on the belief that it constituted a more realistic, Africa-owned and Africa-centred development framework with a greater potential for success. It was also believed that NEPAD had addressed the shortcomings of the unsuccessful continental development frameworks and programmes that preceded it.1 Nonetheless, almost six years after NEPAD was launched, the extent to which it has lived up to its potential remains a highly debated issue and the initial optimism has all but waned in some quarters.